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MLB announces Nats 'Tribute for Heroes' finalists

MLB announces Nats 'Tribute for Heroes' finalists

DENVER -- The Nationals' three finalists for the PEOPLE magazine "Tribute for Heroes" campaign include a U.S. Marines veteran and two others who dedicated much of their life to the U.S. Air Force.

John Belcher, a native of Tunkhannok, Pa., spent nearly 10 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a veterans affair representative, he has since helped over 600 veterans collect the medals they earned for their service.

Lori Kelly, a resident of Alexandria, Va., is the senior enlisted aide to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and recently took more than 100 World War II veterans to the war memorials in Washington D.C. The single mom still finds time to be involved with the Boy Scouts and the DC Central Kitchen.

Julie Weckerlein, who lives in Centreville, Va., traveled across Europe and later to Iraq and Afghanistan over a 13-plus-year career as a combat correspondent. She wrote and photographed the journey of service men and women as part of her job, and today works in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Major League Baseball will select one winner from each organization, and those people will be honored during All-Star week and before the 2013 All-Star game.

Ian McCue is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.